Another thing occurred to me as I walked into work a couple days ago...downtown office high-rises, buildings that are 50+ stories tall, don't individually meter tenants (at least not typically).  

I read a lot of other threads and listened to other podcasts with experienced landlords, and the sense I got was that many of them started out being chummy, but eventually scaled it back when inches became miles.

My insurance doesn't allow a trampoline or pool deeper than 18 inches.

Even though you have said you've done it in the past i've never had anybody apply without seeing the apartment. thats a pretty tall order as Sue K. had said the credit report does leave a mark on their credit. there is no way i would apply for an apartment before seeing it and most people feel the same way.

This was a 500 hundred year flood are, but the owner did mention that the house received about and inch of water about 10 years ago as well.  

People will sometimes try to take a mile when you give them an inch. 

I have a tenant complained that her space - which is under a tall oak tree - is receiving a healthy amount of bird poop. 

He would wack the grass down to a inch long twice a week.

I think it sets a bad precedence and I've found that the ole 'give 'em and inch and they take a mile' cliche tends to be supremely true with most tenants.

If you give them an inch, they'll never stop whining.